What are the best items to have on your registry?

You asked and you shall now receive. It’s only fair for us to share all of this stored up knowledge about having a baby and what is going on with your body during those nine (really ten) months. We now will answer, in a very public forum, all of those burning questions about having a baby. Each Monday, we will tackle a commonly-asked-question from the point of view of an expectant parent. Chiming in to give her feedback will be three women who have been there and done that: an expert (you know someone who does this for a living), a mom from our community (for the “best” friend advice you need) and a babybites’ team member (someone who will promise to give you the REAL deal and no fluff). Earmark, share and add your own input to today’s question; it’s good karma.

What are the best items to have on your registry?

Expert: Renee Sullivan

As an expectant mom, it can be quite overwhelming with all “the stuff” it seems that a baby needs. How can one little creature need so many things? We can be left feeling lost like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz watching the scarecrow – pointing in each and every direction. To whittle it down – a wonderful way is to ask new moms you know two questions – what was absolutely essential, and what did you never use? Two of my faves – the Miracle Blanket – an amazing swaddle blanket that keeps the little ones all snug and encourages restful sleep, and the Bumbo Seat – an awesome little seat that your baby can use once they have head control, great for everything from feeding, to sitting, to traveling – its portable, affordable, and a great place to put baby when your hands need a wee little rest from your wee little one.

Mom: Erica Siena

My favorite baby items are the Homedics Sound Spa and Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker. Whenever people see both items, they are amazed about how useful they looks and how cheap it is comparatively. I hope my baby will like it as much as I do. However, most of the items on your registry are for the baby in a few months, not now, because babies (and new moms) are not that active for the first 3 months. So I have found the best items to be put on are actually for YOU. If you register at Buy Buy Baby, online you can add items from Bed Bath and Beyond, since they are owned by the same parent company. What I did, instead of getting that expensive recliner, I registered for a Shiatsu Massager to put on my chair or couch. I figured if baby is suppose to love the vibrations, why should Big Momma have to miss out.

babybites’ team: Laura Deutsch

You should put bigger ticket items like bouncy seats (one for each room of the house that you frequently hang out in so you don’t have to transport the seat from one room to the other), pack and play, baby swing, ExerSaucer, baby monitors, and Bumbo. I recommend NOT putting things that you should really test out before you buy, like strollers, baby carriers, etc. However, the Graco carseat/stroller frame is a must have for the first few months of your baby’s life. You will end up purchasing another stroller, but it is the perfect first stroller that makes it super easy to travel since you never have to take your baby out of the car seat.

About our team:

Renee Sullivan

Renee Sullivan, parent coach and babybites support group director, works with moms each week to create their own personal parenting plan that is right for them, while making sure that each mom gets the support, resources, and community they need for their parenting journey. Drawing from her experience as an birth coach and educator, she guides moms – new, seasoned and expectant through the never – ending array of decisions that come with having a child. Before joining Mommybites, she narrowly escaped the trenches of Corporate America where she was a Senior Project Manager for The New York Times, Morgan Stanley, and Pfizer. She lives in New York City and is the mom of one happy kindergartener.

Erica Siena

Hi! My name is Erica Siena and I am here to answer all of your Expecting Mom questions. As an expecting mom myself, I am due December 14 with my first child, I understand that this time is exciting yet often confusing. Also, as both a trusts and estates lawyer and Pilates instructor as well as as a member of the New York Junior League, Mount Sinai Young Friends, and my Barnard class Treasurer, I understand how stressful this time can be, how there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in a day, how I could possibly handle all the paparazzi stress for 9 months just for society to allow me a personal assistant. I hope to be able to answer all of your questions for you.

Laura Deutsch

Laura Deutsch is the original founder and creator of babybites. Since first starting babybites in 2006 by handing out post cards to fellow moms on the streets of Manhattan, Laura has continued to use her business savvy, dedication and creativity to cultivate and grow babybites in its flagship city of Manhattan. Prior to founding babybites, Laura worked as a middle school math teacher at The Dwight School in Manhattan. Laura holds her BA from Binghamton University and her MA in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She currently resides in Summit, NJ, with her husband, Brian, daughter, Ava, and son, Jacob.